Help - cocktail dress?

[Moo31]

I need a cocktail dress for an awards dinner on Thursday night. I'm 5ft, size 12, big bust.

Hate clothes that are too fitted / clingy (particularly around tummy). Have scars on the front of my legs from a skin condition so prefer full length.

Also prefer sleeves of some kind (so not sleeveless). Also not backless / strapless / too revealing.

Dress code is "cocktail dress / ballgown" I don't own anything that comes near either of those. I am very unlikely to wear a ballgown again hence asking for cocktail dress advice!

Please help - I have no idea!
Budget - around £100.

Never fully dressed x

You’ve left it late, @Moo31!

And that dress code seems even more unlikely than the last on S&B. Why couldn’t they say one or the other?

Have a look here?

https://sisterjane.com/collections/dresses

Worth checking out charity shops if you have the time. I found choice was much better than what was available new.

I’m always quite intrigued by the charity shop mantra … Surely not everyone on MN lives in Knightsbridge or Oxford or next door to a Premier League footballer in Cheshire? Times are hard; how many people in ordinary, non-global prestige university towns or suburbs, with the majority of the population on MW, are giving away fresh new ‘designer’ ballgowns or cocktail dresses? Don’t people sell any decent unwanted stuff on Vinted? Aren’t most charity shops more likely to be filled with faded Primark tops, endless pairs of bobbly joggers and outgrown toddlers’ clothes with only the faintest stains?

I don’t disagree that they can be a great resource if you live in the right area - perhaps the OP does?

Try quiz

media.quizclothing.co.uk//i/Quiz/00100039629_XM?fmt=webp&w=900

This is slightly over budget but they have different options in store

@BlossomBlossomBlossom

I volunteer in a charity shop and we get a fair few in, people are very generous, small town.

Thank you all so much for your help!

I really like that quiz one - we have a quiz near us which I will pop into over the weekend.

I have ordered this - do you think it fits the bill?

Also re charity shops - I have seen the odd wedding dress in our local ones but very rare. In terms of dresses I have never seen anything that would be dressy enough for what I need.

I know - but if the OP does live somewhere where there are good pickings it’s worth a look.

I was surprised that the charity shops didn’t just have a cheaper selection, but a better selection.

I also assume that the big charities organise and share stock off site, and don’t just keep donations in the shop.

And I’m talking hardly worn Phase Eight and Walllis, not expensive designer brands.